Wanted to get some advice on Bench Press programming (since that's the only thing I'm able to go heavy on, at the moment).

I've been Texas-Method-ing it for a couple of months now. Started rather conservatively on 70kg, with a 5RM of 82,5kg, with volume days being 5x5 across on Mondays, Wednesdays recovery with 2x5 light weight and 1RM, 2RM or 3RM on Fridays for intensity day.

First go through, I added 2.5kg every workout until I reached 87.5kg and only got 5-5-5-4-1 reps.

What I did was reset back to 80kg and kept going until I hit 87.5kg yesterday and managed all my sets. Those sets took all I got and some, both physically and mentally, and my arms and shoulders are still toast.

The thing is I'm pretty sure 90kg won't be going up for five sets of five next week unless I start injecting myself with something illegal. And before you say it, don't suggest smaller jumps because I've searched basically everywhere for smaller plates. Even washers, but haven't found anything with more than 30mm holes and with Iceland's economy in the toilet, ordering micro plates online is not an option (even though I never actually found a company willing to ship just a pair of 0,5kg plates).

So, what would be a feasible next step?

Try and fail on 90kg next week and then restart again?

Change up the rep scheme to something like seven to eight sets of three and try to move on?

Or should I go the one step backwards, two steps forward route? Back off to 85kg, go for 87,5kg again and then 90kg?

Something else? Any suggestions appreciated. I wanna make the most of my bench pressing time now since I'll probably drop it completely once my back is healed up properly.

Unless you're like below 70 kilos or something you should still have pretty decent progress. I wouldn't go to smaller plates at this point.. that's just a waste of time.

There's a couple things you go do at this point:

1. Increase the frequency of days lifting and decrease the volume. Almost like heavy GTG/PTTP with like 2x5 or something 4 then 5 days a week then maybe 6 if you're up for it.

2. Alter the rep scheme for consistent work with something like 10/6/2 or 5/3/1 or whatever. Texas method does this as well partially, but I'm curious as to why a 5x5 bench press fried you so bad. 3x5/5x3/8x1 rarely fails me if I need to put up heavier weight (with like dips and pullups though).

I know you're probably not used to bench having only done this for now since you're injured, but still it seems a bit weird to me.

3. Go super heavy multiple days in a row.. (make sure you have a spotter) then let yourself supercompensation some..

I'd say first stop thinking you are going to fail before you even start. If I sit here and convince myself that there is no way I'll be able to front squat X pounds later today....then yes I will fail.

IF you do fail next week then that is the time to be thinking about changing it things up. I'd think about subbing flat bench in for something else like incline for a few weeks while still working flat with some speed stuff @50-60% of your 1RM. then going back to flat after a few weeks.

__________________
"And for crying out loud. Don't go into the pain cave. I can't stress this enough. Your Totem Animal won't be in there to help you. You'll be on your own. The Pain Cave is for cowards.
Pain is your companion, don't go hide from it."
-Kelly Starrett

you'll learn a lot more by 90kg not going up that you will by avoiding finding out if its going up or not.

positive failure is no big deal. i wouldn't build my life around it but occasional overreaching is how you find out where you really are. knowing where you actually are is valuable information. You'll know where and when to reset, back off, add volume, etc.

take a run at 90 with a competent spotter and give it a shot, use whatever tools yuou have. the right music, psych up, no psych up, rest a day before..whatever then take a shot. it either works or it doesn't..

Quick thought on that matter for those of you used to incline benching: What's a normal flat bench to incline bench ratio?

I've seen some numbers thrown around but I don't think I've ever seen a general consenus as an absolute percentage. I'd say try 75-80% of your flat and see how that feels. When I was benching a lot, I was able to hit 90% of my flat 1RM on incline, but then again it's not as if my flat was that impressive either, I've flirted with 295lb's many years past.

__________________
"And for crying out loud. Don't go into the pain cave. I can't stress this enough. Your Totem Animal won't be in there to help you. You'll be on your own. The Pain Cave is for cowards.
Pain is your companion, don't go hide from it."
-Kelly Starrett

Oh yeah, speed work will work as well. I personally haven't had much results with it, but may work well for you.

It helps once your bench is past 100#'s

Seriously though, speed stuff is overrate when the poundages are lower overall but once you hit a certain threshhold I think it's a good thing to throw in there.

__________________
"And for crying out loud. Don't go into the pain cave. I can't stress this enough. Your Totem Animal won't be in there to help you. You'll be on your own. The Pain Cave is for cowards.
Pain is your companion, don't go hide from it."
-Kelly Starrett